These second test players are all masters; they definitely know a lot more insider information than the newbie players. The fact that they're emphasizing the importance of merit means merit is indeed crucial.
The game has a three-tier currency system.
The first tier is ordinary currency like Copper Coins and taels of silver. The things you can buy with them are quite limited, and they're not very useful.
The second tier is Spirit Stones and Immortal Jade, currency specially for cultivators, and the most commonly used and universal currency in the game.
Spirit Stones and Immortal Jade can be converted into each other. These two currencies can practically buy everything in the game. Considering the game allows free trading, the importance of these two currencies is indescribable.
The third tier is merit and Karmic Force. By rights, these don't belong to "currency" since they can't be used for player transactions.
